Forgive this long post from a newbie.
I've started work on an old, somewhat rusty Wade & Butcher razor. I'm learning more than I expected to learn. And my first lesson is:
. . . Don't buy a first razor with corrosion near the edge !
My tools:
600-grit wet-or-dry paper, taped to a 3.5" x 9" plexiglass base;
2000-grit wet-or-dry paper, taped to a 3.5" x 9" plexiglass base;
8000-grit ceramic stone, 4" x 2".
I've taken the edge back, past the rusty notches in it. The bevel shows clean steel, now. The edge looks smooth under a 10x diamond loupe.
On the 2000-grit and 8000-grit stones, the edge seems to touch the stone at the 1/4 and 3/4 points (from heel to toe). But the _middle_ of the blade seems just a bit above the stone -- water flows under it, instead of being pushed along.
I think this indicates a "frowning" edge -- the opposite of a "smiling" edge.
After stropping, I can shave with it, but a Gilette Mach III blade is considerably sharper. So I know it's not finished.
Is there any secret to getting rid of the frown?
After reading the Wiki, it seems that my best bet is to go back to the 600-grit paper, and do straight strokes, with the razor's edge at 45 degrees to the long axis of the paper. And to keep doing them, until the edge is straight.
Thanks --
Charles